| 2013 |
Warsaw
Juliusz Słowacki High School No.7
Juliusz Słowacki High School No.7
| 2013 |
It was no accident that School of Dialogue made it to Juliusz Słowacki High School in Warsaw’s Ochota district. Each year, students from the grade with a focus on religion and culture participate in a “session”, or a series of activities related to one particular religion. In 2013, the students zeroed in on Jewish history and culture.
From the outset, high school juniors involved demonstrated ample amount of knowledge on Judaism. Although they were already familiar with a lot of the workshops’ subject matter, they were persistent in seeking out detailed information. The students’ inquisitiveness shone through the questions they asked – about differences between Yiddish and Hebrew languages, rules of kashrut, and how to differentiate between orthodox and liberal branches of Judaism.
The walking tour of Jewish Praga district made a great impression on workshop participants. Seeing a playground on the site of Praga’s destroyed synagogue at ul.Jagiellońska or the stacks of matzevot at Bródno district’s Jewish cemetery at ul.Odrowąża led to questions and reflections on the issue of responsibility for surviving material heritage of other cultures. Students even decided to stay at the cemetery after the workshops to independently explore the surviving headstones. The third workshop, consisting of a walking tour through Warsaw ghetto sites, proved to be the most interesting for the students. A visit at the Jewish Historical Institute and the opportunity to compare contemporary sites to archival photographs helped systematize their knowledge and led to further insights.
Among others, students wondered whether assimilated Jews helped the Orthodox learn to understand Polish and Polish culture and what would have been instrumental to help them survive on the Aryan side if they succeeded in escaping from the ghetto.
For high school students from Ochota, School of Dialogue was not just learning about Jewish history; they were also interested in contemporary Jewish life and ways in which they could pass on their knowledge. While planning their final project they considered creating a happening in the city in the form of a march along ghetto wall borders with candle lights on Hanukkah holiday. However, students decided they prefer more knowledge-based activities that would address a particular group and influence other people’s ways of thinking.
During a session on Judaism organized in their school in December 2013, School of Dialogue graduates had a chance to present their experiences from the workshops.
The importance of the project for students’ further activity is reflected in the letter written by one of the female students:
“I would like to discuss cultural differences with others. I believe that dialogue between different cultures is immensely important. Making the society aware of this can prevent many conflicts and ambiguities. An informed person becomes a more conscious and open individual.”
School:
Juliusz Słowacki High School No.7
Students:
grade IId with extended curriculum in liberal arts
Teacher:
Hanna Skierczyńska
Educators:
Anna Despons, Elżbieta Kwiecińska
To read more about Warsaw visit Virtual Shtetl:
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this educational program. Through recovering the assets of the victims of the Holocaust, the Claims Conference enables organizations around the world to provide education about the Shoah and to preserve the memory of those who perished.
In appreciation to Friends of the Forum for supporting the School of Dialogue educational program.
